7/17/2015

Delish appetizers, salads, entrees and drinks all in a classy establishment!

Recommendations:
Tuna Polk: outstanding
Grilled chicken salad: big salad with lots of great flavors
Macho salad: Also a big salad with goat cheese, avocado, cornbread croutons... Very tasty and satisfying!

Drinks: If you like grapefruit go with the fresh squeezed greyhound

8/12/2015

I came in for dinner and drinks with a friend about a month ago. The menu very simple and to the point; we both ordered the French Dip, which was pretty good. While my friend had to send her sandwich back because they overcooked it, medium rare is what she wanted, mine was cooked to perfection, medium well. I also ordered a Sidecar, which was just okay and nothing to brag about. We were just leaving as the Jazz band was playing, but I would have liked to hear them play.

The establishment was a bit noisy, but not too bad. The atmosphere was relaxing and there is a great view of Michigan Ave.! They are a bit overpriced for such a small selection, but the food was delicious. I will return and try something different!

7/27/2015

We ordered the cornbread after reading it was one of their staples. Sadly, I did not like it at all. I thought it was very dry and quite bland. However, my mom loved it. She especially enjoyed the crunchy top.

I ordered the Snake River Farms Tri-Tip. It was good but would have been even better if it came with some type of sauce. There were certain edges of the meat that were burnt. My dad ordered the Famous French Dip, and he enjoyed the prime rib. My mom ordered the Cedar Plank Lake Superior White Fish, and she enjoyed that as well.

We all loved their fries, and most especially their mashed potatoes. I hate mash potatoes but theirs was delicious. Their service was good, no complaints there.

7/23/2015

One of my friends suggested that we have lunch at Bandera's while I was in town.  It's a Hillstone restaurant so if you've been to Houston's then you already know Bandera.  At least it's from the same American/steakhouse bloodline.

We sat in a booth near the front of the restaurant overlooking the Mag Mile.  There were lots of large windows letting in a lot of light.  A large mirror behind our booth made it even brighter.  There were no empty tables in our section.  Despite the fact that it was busy, our server didn't rush us through our meal which was great.

I wasn't ready for their Iron Skillet Cornbread to be so good!  They brought it out to the table in a mini cast iron skillet.  It was a Tex-Mex style cornbread with corn and jalapenos incorporated into the batter.  I usually don't like anything but plain cornbread but their version was delicious.

I ordered the Rotisserie Lamb Sandwich, thinly carved slices of lamb with roasted peppers and arugula stacked on crusty bread.  I had them take it back to the kitchen and cook it longer.  I am not Team Pink Meat.  I like my meat cooked very well even if it is "overcooked" by restaurant standards.  

When it came back out it was still very tender so I didn't need the cup of au jus at all.  The arugula on the sandwich was coated in a light vinaigrette or lemon juice that added a bright flavor.  The side dish Corn on the Cob was buttery with a nice kick from seasoned salt.

The convenient-to-downtown location, sunny interior, flavorful food, attentive but unfussy service made Bandera's a great pick for our meetup.

• 

  Rotisserie Lamb Sandwich

  Rotisserie Lamb Sandwich
• 

  Iron Skillet Cornbread

  Iron Skillet Cornbread

7/8/2015

In a city renowned for it's food, we spent a lot of time researching where to eat. We were nervous about making the right choice, but I am glad we chose this spot! Our waiter was very knowledgeable about all of the dishes and was able to recommend upon request.

We started off with ceasar salads that were fairly sized. The kicker with these is that the croutons were cornbread. Never had that before but something I would definitely like to replicate on own.

We also got a plate of fociccia bread and olives which were ok, the bread was better than the olives.

I ordered the meatloaf with mashed potatoes which came recommended by some yelp tips. I am happy to report that they were right. The meatloaf was topped with a bit of bbq sauce and was well seasoned. The mashed potatoes were ridiculously good.

I ended the meal with a coffee as usual which was also very flavorful, definitely a solid spot!

• 

  Meatloaf

  Meatloaf
• 

  Ceasar.

  Ceasar.

8/10/2015

The chili chicken soup is a good starter. It is a little bit spicy, not too much. The goat cheese brings a creamy taste. There are also beans in the soup. Like it a lot. The chicken salad is good, nothing special about it. Fresh fish with shrimp is a perfect entree if you are looking for a light dinner. It's coming with vegetables and smashed potatoes. The music here is wonderful. Nice dinner.

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  Fish

  Fish
• 

  Grill chicken salad

  Grill chicken salad
• 

  Chili chicken soup with goat cheese

  Chili chicken soup with goat cheese

8/8/2015

I absolutely LOVE this place!!!!!
this is my go to place all the time when I can't think of anywhere to go. this restaurant never disappoints me with each of its appetizer and entrée. They are all so flavorful and not too heavy. I highly recommend the seared ahi tuna.! always liked it~ the blend of mangoes with avocados and then the ginger with the tuna are such great combinations, making the plate so appetizing. I also recommend the chicken kale salad. One of my friends hate kale except for this kale in this SALAD at Bandera.!!

3/26/2015

Ambrose behind the bar is a gem.  After just a few visits, he already knows when 11am or so hits and I bolt through the door like a bull loose in Spain, there's soon to be a lovely plate of rotisserie chicken over Emerald kale salad sitting in front of me with a frosty glass of Mount Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc.

And they always get the music just right!

Some days it's straight ahead jazz, some days it's soothing chill out music, but it always fits.

It's quite shameful that maybe all 11 of my visits there were for the same exact dish. Was initially looking to shed some of that post holiday baby fatten, but it turnt into a high end, dark green addiction.

That's ok though. I never get the sense that Ambrose is judging me and he's helped me consider a few other things once I'm weened from that bottle, including the Tuna "Poke". ;-)

Maybe I'm ready.. soon.. ish... mayhaps.

But until then...

• 

  Cod with lemon butter, crispy rock shrimp. Sancerre.

  Cod with lemon butter, crispy rock shrimp. Sancerre.
• 

  Succulent, delicate cod in lemon butter with crispy rock shrimp.

  Succulent, delicate cod in lemon butter with crispy rock shrimp.
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  Tasty beef ribs fall right off the bone. :o

  Tasty beef ribs fall right off the bone. :o
• See all photos from Chris G. for Bandera Restaurant

8/13/2015

Disappointed. So on a nice day in chicago biking my boo said that the ribs here were a must for dinner I said ok let's go. I ordered the enchilada with the steak and first my waitress didn't even ask me how I wanted my steak so it came out pretty rare. I didn't feel like the fight so I started eating. Steak was flavorless, enchilada was flavorless the best thing on my dish was the little salad that came on it. A very odd dish. I did try the ribs which were just ok, mashed potatoes tasteless, and chicken so basic. Basic like Boston market.  I also had a cosmo which lacked any alcohol. Fries with spicy mayo were greasy and also lacked seasoning. If the meal costs ten bucks it would have been semi worth it. But I have been to so many better places with better food and ambiance. Just wouldn't return for this basic meal that honestly I compared to a TV dinner.

1/18/2015

I am going to make this easy for you. Order the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich and thank me later. It's melt in your mouth delicious!!

The meat is perfectly cooked (medium-rare), it's massive, juicy, and totally high-end on the scale of French Dips. I get mine accompanied by their homemade horseradish sauce.

Overall, this place was well-priced, excellent service, and great atmosphere. Had a really good time start to finish.

• 

  Da lamb

  Da lamb

7/9/2015

Great ambience, food and service.

Ambience: Trendy-casual. Its dim lighted, but enough lighting where you can see the other person you are talking to. I love that there is live jazz playing , its loud enough that you can hear it , but not too loud where you can't have a conversation without yelling at the other person. Its just right, but I guess that would also be dependant on where you sit in the restaurant.

Food: Started off with the iron skillet jalepeno cheddar cornbread. Not like any cornbread I've had. Nice texture, not too spicy and not too much cheese.. For the main course I had the emerald kale and roasted chicken salad that had what seemed to be a vinegarette and pine nuts. Simple, but delicious as well. Its not too heavy , but not too light. The whole serving will definitely get you full. Dessert got the banana cream pie. I believe it was homemade, doesn't look like something you'd get from Baker's Square. The cream was thick like a custard and the crust was thicker than a traditional graham cracker crust. Needless to say it was yummy.

Service: You can reservations online, always a plus. Got seated on time and our server was very attentive and nice.

All around great experience. Will definitely be back.

7/13/2015

Solid place for an after work drink - upstairs.  A houstons restaurant - really good. Dark, good smelling ribs.

4/27/2015

I'm still dreaming about this restaurant. We had such an amazing experience here!

My fiancé picked this restaurant because they have live jazz music here during dinner time. Even though there was a 45 minute wait to be seated for dinner, we decided to sit and eat at the bar. Like I said, it was still an amazing experience.

You must try their cornbread! I remember seeing it on display when we walked into the restaurant and was immediately intrigued. It's crunchy and crumbles in your mouth.

The Ahi Tuna Salad is heavenly. The honey-lime vinaigrette makes the salad to die for. This is hands down the best salad I've ever had. I highly recommend it to those who want something light for dinner.

My fiancé ordered the Prime Rib. I remember all the guys around us asked the barista, "WHAT IS THAT? I MUST HAVE THAT!" It's absolutely HUGE!! And it's cooked perfectly!

The food, service and atmosphere are wonderful here!

1/15/2015

This was our first time at Bandara. (Thank you, Yelp!). We were intrigued by all of the rave reviews, and decided to check it out.  We were NOT disappointed.  

The ambiance hits you as soon as you walk in.  Dim lights, live jazz playing, and an incredible view of the night lights of Michigan avenue.  The hostesses greet you enthusiastically with big smiles.

We started with the chips and Duo Dip.  The guac is excellent, and the southwest dip compliments it quite well with deep flavor and nice heat.

I had the rotisserie lamb sandwich.  It was outstanding!  It has fire roasted red chili peppers and arugula with a tart dressing.  They bake their own buns daily.  

My wife had the cheese burger.  I had a couple of bites of it and wow!  They grind their own chuck daily for their burgers.  She had hers cooked medium, and it just might have been the best burger I've tasted.  

We also got the corn bread after reading the Yelp reviews.  It's the first time I have eaten cornbread without honey or butter.   I didn't miss it at all.  Really good!

Our server was Michelle.  She was knowledgeable in regards to the menu.  Very friendly and attentive.

We will be back here every time we come to town!

• 

  Lamb sandwich. De-lish!

  Lamb sandwich. De-lish!
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  Cheeseburger. Buns are homemade daily in house.

  Cheeseburger. Buns are homemade daily in house.
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  Cornbread. Amazing.

  Cornbread. Amazing.
• See all photos from Jim H. for Bandera Restaurant

3/30/2015

I may be the only person that has never eaten here but that all changed this past Thursday as a friend and I stopped by for lunch. They open at 11 so we figured it would be smart to reserve @ 11:30 since we figured the place would be packed around noon. Good call as when we got there it wasn't anywhere near crowded, but a little after 12 and the place was swamped and looked to have a wait at the door.

We were seated instantly and was told they have their grilled artichoke back on the menu for a limited time. My friend loves their artichoke and was hoping that it would be back. The appetizer came with 3 so we had 1 each and split the 3rd....very good and grilled/seasoned to perfection. In terms of the entree I went with the Rotisserie Lamb Burger which was very good as well. It came with roasted peppers and arugula which definitely added to the already delicious flavor. I had the option of fries, coleslaw or tabbouleh...I went with the latter. I'm not the biggest tabbouleh fan, but this was really good...best I ever had actually. I looked around at everyone's plates and everything looked scrumptious!

Our server was really nice as she took very good care of us...very informative and personable. I love the scenery as we got a seat by the window which was cool to watch all the foot traffic on Michigan Ave from up top. I definitely wanna come back at night so I can hear the live jazz they play here.

7/20/2015

We were touring around the city and chose this place based on reviews. It was known for its salads and corn bread (odd), but it did turn out to be true. The corn bread appetizer is great... moist and fresh. We had two different salads and both were as good as the next. Full of flavor and the chicken was melt in your mouth tender. Great atmosphere for a cheaper but nice date night.

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  Kale and chicken salad

  Kale and chicken salad

6/19/2015

As a Chicago local, I don't head to Michigan Avenue for dining too often.  There are far too many good restaurants in the neighborhoods, and the Mag Mile is far too stuffy and full of tourists who drive me nuts.  

That being said, Bandera was WORTH. IT.  

I selected Bandera for a luxurious, romantic dinner before seeing a musical in the theatre district.  This evening was an anniversary celebration for my boyfriend and I, in fact.  So we had high expectations.  Those expectations were met and exceeded!  

The food was TO DIE FOR.  Service was FLAWLESS.  Ambiance dark, sexy, romantic.  The live music started a bit later than I had hoped (around 7), and we were only able to enjoy a few songs during our dessert.  

A bit tricky to find from the street.  Yes, it will appear that you are entering a Men's Warehouse.  But it's up there, tucked away on the second floor.  And you are immediately transported away from the Michigan Avenue chaos and into Bandera's sexy, dark, deliciousness.

Too expensive for us to enjoy regularly, but we'll be back again for another splurge meal.  If only for that FOOD.  Because every single bite was truly just WOW.

4/10/2015

Get the booth seats in the back if you can. You'll get the best view of the house.

Pros:
- Corn bread. What is this addictive corn bread and why is it so good?
- Ahi tuna. Fresh, delicious. I always get the ahi tuna
- It's close to where I work/ live. Very convenient and inviting
- Solid playlist. They'll play bossa nova, Bonobo, Thievery Corporation, et cetera

Cons:
- Can be very crowded at lunchtime. Without a reservation, you may have to resort to eating at the bar, arms clanking into your neighbor's plate

5/14/2015

When we arrived and asked for a table, we were told the waiting time was over an hour but we were free to eat the bar or wait there with a drink. We decided to wait and drank while watching sports on the TV. It gave us time to enjoy the atmosphere and listen to the great live jazz band. We ordered some nachos to kill the time and we even got some extra nachos for free since the wait took a bit longer.

After being seated we ordered barbecue ribs and the lamb sandwich. The food arrived on time and was very well prepared! The ribs were extraordinary, probably the best we've ever had. The lamb sandwich was good and tasty but not extraordinary. The live band once again gave an extra as it made the stay more pleasant. The staff was friendly, kind and takes care of you, even if the wait is longer than expected! Would definitely recommend it!

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  On top the ribs, below the lamb sandwich.

  On top the ribs, below the lamb sandwich.

2/20/2015

I highly recommend this place.

The salads are heavenly. The burger is awesome.
Sometimes when a person eats a veggie burger and they are not a veggiterian; what happens is they end up gagging. Not so here. The veggie burger is awesome. It is so tasty. I am on a diet so the salads are 2nd to none. When I was not on a diet I had some crab cakes.  

I am a huge fan of the grilled chicken salad

Have been here 5 times in the last 6 months. The music is awesome. very chilled out for Michigan Ave.

The servings are not stingy and often times I find myself asking for a to go container because the portions are huge.

Be prepared to be impressed and you will not leave hungry. If you go after 7:30 PM it wont be as loud as it was at 5PM

decent wine selection and a good after work scene at the bar

5/21/2015

This could become a go to place for biz meals.  My first time here for lunch was terrific-- and this is eating at the bar with a colleague.  Great atmosphere and friendly service was topped by the best French dip I've ever had.  Ever.  Perfectly cooked beef, toasted roll,  savory au jus,  and the braised cabbage i subbed out for fries were awesome!

5/27/2015

Went here last night with some coworkers, I'd never been but I've heard good things about it. Can't say that I was disappointed in the least, the staff was wonderful and our server was a lot of fun. Loved the fact that they had live music, and yes the musicians take requests! Despite being dark in the restaurant I didn't find it being a problem, it was definitely a lot dimmer than where I work so I thought that was odd but had no problems seeing what so ever.

Regarding the food, definitely would go back for a special occasion. It's a little pricier than I can generally afford but that's not to say I won't be back. The food was good, we started out with the Dip Duo (guacamole and queso). Jonathan (our server) said it had a bit of a kick to it, and he was right. Not at all a bad thing, but I would have liked more guacamole to balance out the heat. Other foods ordered:
Prime Rib - slow roasted on the bone served with mashed potatoes
Center-cut Prime Filet -with mashed potatoes and broccoli
Ding's Crispy Chicken Sandwich crispy buttermilk fried chicken, baby swiss, spicy slaw
House-made Oreo Ice Cream Sandwiches - with dark chocolate sauce
And some apple pie thing.

All of it was super yummy.

5/28/2015

Jazz and classy bar and grill on Michigan Ave? Yes please.

The ambiance is lovely and service was great. My other half (the fiance) and I both love it here, and the prices are fitting for the area and well worth it in our opinion. It feels like a meat-eaters delight when here though with my crew as they all seem to order ribs, prime rib, french dip, lamb and all things meat meaty and meatier.

Although there are a few salads on the menu, it lacks a bit for the vegetarian since all the salads are based around meat or fish on them (such as the tuna, roasted chicken, grilled chicken, etc.) It would be nice to have a vegetarian salad that included some vegetarian protein as well such as quinioa or something. The veggie burger has some type of strange sweet flavor and not a fan, but they do have a veggie burger for those interested.

They offer take home roasted chickens (whole) and they do a really good roasted chicken so that's a total plus. And, the banana cream pie has caramel- enough said!

Tips learned:

-Go on a night with the live jazz, it really makes the place THAT much better.

4/29/2015

Pros:
- Tasty food and drinks
- Lovely lighting and ambiance
- Attentive service

Cons:
- Live jazz music seemed to stop by 9pm (at least the night I was there), so plan accordingly or ask in advance if you are going for the music

============================================

My fiancé made reservations for 9:30pm on a Saturday evening for our post-engagement dinner. We had been walking around all day so we stopped in around 8 hoping to get seated early, but it was PACKED and were told the wait would be an hour and a half anyways. The band was playing and it looked lively and fun. We left to grab some coffee at Starbucks to pass the time, but when we came back the band was already done playing --- kind of a bummer, but everything else made up for it.

Our server came by and recommended the Vesper when we asked for a cocktail that was not too sweet. It has gin, vodka, and lillet blanc. It had just the right amount of gin in there to not be too overpowering but still had the lovely fragrance of juniper berries. I would totally get this and/or make this on my own! Thank you James Bond for my new favorite cocktail.

For food, we had the Ahi Tuna Salad and Spit Roasted Pork Filet. The tuna was perfectly seared and delicious. The honey-lime vinaigrette was light and refreshing and went really well with the mangoes. The pork dish came with mashed potatoes and HOLY MOLY were they a little ball of buttery goodness. The pork was a bit on the dry side, but it was a huge portion of meat so my fiancé was a happy man.

I would definitely want to come back at an earlier hour to get to enjoy the live jazz, and the cornbread that everyone is raving about as well.

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  Vesper martini - gin, vodka, lillet blanc

  Vesper martini - gin, vodka, lillet blanc
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  Ahi tuna salad with avocadoes, mangoes, and honey lime vinaigrette

  Ahi tuna salad with avocadoes, mangoes, and honey lime vinaigrette
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  Spit roasted pork filet, braised red cabbage, and the best mashed potatoes I have ever had

  Spit roasted pork filet, braised red cabbage, and the best mashed potatoes I have ever had

7/2/2015

The food is yummy, grilled artichoke appetizer is gooooood. Sounds strange but the butternut squash enchiladas are amazing. Fellow diners really liked the ribs, barbecue salmon, burgers. The cornbread was also pretty good.

Apple pie dessert great onsite but neither it or the banana pie travel well

It's a little loud if you're trying to talk to your table mates but the music was pretty good.

7/30/2015

Very cool atmosphere with amazing food.  The corn bread is a must and their specials are always amazing.  Any sort of beef entree is cooked to perfection and you will not be disappointed.

7/26/2015

Looking for a break from the hustle & bustle of Michigan ave? This is it! It's located on the second floor of the building right on Michigan ave. It's warm & its cozy. There's jazz music on certain nights & the staff is great. I like it for a nice glass of wine after holiday shopping or just to people watch from above. The only thing keeping this from being 5 stars for me is the menu. We just can't seem to ever walk away with a memorable meal. Not that anything is bad, it's not. It's just not over the top. This is just me. I can't ever seem to order that one item that blows me away, or that I can't wait to order again. Maybe the warmth of the dining room trumps the food. I've been here 15 times or so, and I could not tell you what to order. I suppose the rotisserie chicken is a good bet.

It's still my Michigan ave spot & a great date spot!

6/13/2015

Started with a glass of merlot, which came out to be about $17 after tip.

Ordered the fish of the day. Fish was fresh, but it was basted in too much butter for my taste. The sides were good - mash potatoes and rhubarb.

The ambiance is nice (live jazz) and the servers were very attentive.

Great location for tourist.

Probably won't be back unless someone really wants to try it.

5/19/2015

I have had the Beef BBQ ribs twice. They are fall off the bone good. I usually don't like coke slaw but I love their cole slaw.

They have a cornbread dish that is amazing. I love this place. Worth the walk through the Chicago cold.

6/25/2014

Okay let's be real, when you order focaccia bread it comes with butter and 3 almonds, and your gf drops one almond on the floor does the 5 second rule apply?  This butter was beyond scrumptious!!  I ordered a salad with avocado, goat cheese and wait for it...corn bread croutons. I wasn't going to eat them initially since my carb intake was heavy with the focaccia but I ate every little perfect square of goodness. My lady had the veggie burger which she adored and despite it looking like raw meat it wasn't. Bc that would be straight up rude to do to a vegetarian. Beyond rude. Like if it were ground meat PETA would prob be there picketing by the time we left the place. The burger came with a perfectly made side kale salad.

We sat at the bar...service was great. Attentive to our extra butter needs. I still can't believe she dropped that almond.

Moral of the story...when you go, order the butter.

• 

  Yummy veggie burger!

  Yummy veggie burger!
• 

  Butter. Butter.

  Butter. Butter.

2/13/2015

It has been several years since the first time I dined at Bandera but I had great memories of this place so I was excited to return as part of a team outing.  

A small group dined here on a recent weeknight.  The atmosphere and decor hasn't changed from what I remembered - comfy, dark and warm - which was perfect for this cold late winter evening.  

We started with appetizers that included the dip duo (guacamole and queso w/chips) and the Tuna Poke and their famous cornbread.  Everything was really flavorful and they were decent portion sizes.  The cornbread, which I breathlessly anticipated, was good but too crumbly which made it almost impossible to eat.  Instead of biting into moist and tasty pieces of warm cornbread - we had to basically scoop the crumbs from the plate and eat it with a spoon.  I raved about this bread to our diner companions so needless to say I was very disappointed.  If it was a bad batch, I can understand - if this is the way they now make their cornbread, I will take a pass next time.  

Everything else was delicious - I had the Macho Salad and it was excellent, loaded with avocado, and dates (what a nice addition!) with tasty cornbread croutons with sliced, tender marinated pieces of steak.  I was not very hungry after the appetizers so this was a perfect entree choice for me.  

The service was very good and I think the prices are fair for the portion size and quality of the food - there is a reason this place has been a Michigan Ave. staple for so long.

5/21/2015

Had a great time here. We had reservations that ran a bit late but the hostess was great about keeping us up to date. The bar was way crowded to wait at, but my wife scored a stool and the macallan pour was generous so we were happy.

Once seated the service was snappy and friendly. I had the french dip, which i really enjoyed, but i kind of wish I'd ordered something else. It was a really good french dip, but not the show stopper others describe. If I'd paid $8 for it at a deli I would be ecstatic.

I never caught the name of the jazz trio playing but they were really good. I have never seen a band pack up and leave so quickly though - never got a chance to shoot them a tip. Dang, 'cause they were really enjoyable.

Overall a really good experience here.

2/9/2015

I've had two wonderful lunches here. The most recent was last Sunday - we walked in, no reservation needed, and even got a window table. Great food, attentive service, swanky atmosphere.

The chicken salad with the lime vinaigrette was fantastic and something I immediately tried to replicate at home (close, but no cigar). The lamb sandwich was out of this world. Tender, flavorful, delicious and enough for a second lunch.

My only regret: I caught a glimpse of the skillet cornbread on my way out, and WOW did that look amazing. Sad I hadn't ordered it. An absolute must next time.

2/3/2015

I'm giving this place five stars not only for he food, but also for the service!  We had an exceptional waitress who seamlessly moved from talking food to wine with intelligence.  Her attentiveness to our table was above and beyond.

I was on the Whole 30 (30 day reset plan) when we are here, so many menu items were out of the question.  She helped me navigate and visited the kitchen to see what they could do.  She had also done Whole 30, so she understood. My meal, smoked salmon, kale salad in balsamic, and white fish with veggies, was nothing short of delicious, nutritious, and filling.  My colleagues also had wonderful meals and wine.  I highly recommend this place!  Just be sure to call ahead!

7/19/2015

As wonderful as usual,  this is my 8th time here. I love how do they keep the taste of everything the same every time! Very classy and suitable for dates or family gathering.

5/6/2015

Excellent food service and ambiance.   Had the lamb sandwich which I thought was amazing, the enchilada was also very good.   The server even brought over a fresh chilled martini glass halfway through the cocktail to keep it cool!

• 

  Butternut squash enchillada

  Butternut squash enchillada
• 
• 

  There might be a whole lamb in the lamb sandwhich!

  There might be a whole lamb in the lamb sandwhich!
• See all photos from Leonard S. for Bandera Restaurant

4/27/2015

Had an absolutely fantastic dinner here yesterday. The service was great (our waitress Christine) the food was amazing (had the fillet and kale salad), and the crisp martini is simply what is needed to ease your day.  

We had reservations and there was no issues at all getting us seated. In fact my friend was 30 mins late and the waitress was trying to help get him to the restaurant (he was lost!!).

I would defiantly come back.
Thank you for a lovely evening

11/21/2014

LOVE Hillstone Restaurants, when I am traveling they never let me down and are always consistent with quality and service. Bandera was no different and was the perfect choice for our last night in Chicago.

We came in on a Thursday and enjoyed a bustling bar scene as we waited for our table and then were seated right next to the Jazz trio (does it get any better?). The ambiance is perfection with low, soft lighting, soft jazz and just enough people to feel like you are at a 'happening' spot without it being too loud or overcrowded.

I enjoyed their Rotisserie Chicken, which I highly recommend, and the husband had their mushroom meatloaf which he thoroughly enjoyed as well. Then came dessert....which part of me regrets due to the small food baby I left with while the other part of me is drooling because it was so good. The Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich.  Now I know what you are thinking, lame...been done before...an Oreo? Yes, but it's homemade Oreo cookies, homemade whipped cream, amazingly smooth ice cream covered with chocolate espresso sauce. It will literally change your life, and quite possibly your waist size, but it's worth every bite.

4/12/2015

What's not to love about this place? Great drinks. Great food. Great live jazz music. Great views. I'd suggest going on a night where you have no where else to be so you can sit, relax eat & drink and listen to some good music.

While its right on Michigan Ave., you really have to be looking for it. Kinda got the sense that it was less touristy and more of a local attraction; which I love!

The staff was great! Took good care of us, both at the bar and in the dining room.

Will definitely come back next time I'm in town. Should you go? Yes!

5/26/2015

This is my favorite place hand down. The food is simply delicious. I had the Cedar Plank lake Superior white fish and my boyfriend had the roasted chicken and rib combo. The fish melts in your mouth and the fries that it came with are the best. My boyfriend loved the chicken, but the ribs were ok, a little over cooked and didn't fall of the bone as easy. Their Ding's coleslaw is to die for! It has a great, cozy atmosphere. It was perfect for a birthday dinner date. The background music wasn't intrusive, although they do have live jazz music there as well. The waitress was very knowledgeable, but only checked on us once through the visit. Overall, I would highly recommend this place. Great location, great atmosphere, great food.

4/20/2015

I love this restaurant. They have the best lamb sandwiches I have every had. Their rotisserie chicken is very succulent. The skin is crispy on the outside while juicy and flavorful with each bite. I love the setting of the restaurant. It is dim and romantic which makes it perfect for an anniversary dinner. The waitresses are always nice and their drinks are tasty. Will definitely be coming back.

4/26/2015

Loved the dark and cozy atmosphere. Making reservations was a breeze. Service was friendly and on-point. Dinner was delicious--ribs, prime rib, salad. It was all perfectly executed. And the location is great--right across the street from the Marriott and close to everything on the Magnificent Mile. Will visit every time I get a chance!

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  Hot herbal tea

  Hot herbal tea
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  Grilled artichokes

  Grilled artichokes
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  Grilled chicken salad

  Grilled chicken salad

5/8/2015

We made a reservation a couple days after Valentines Day. Our seats had a pretty view of the night lights outside. The cornbread is a MUST TRY! Don't miss out! My boyfriend loved the ribs. I got the salmon and it was delicious. I'm definitely coming back.

BTW: The atmosphere felt great with the live jazz.

10/27/2014

I've done a nation-wide tour of nearly all of the Banderas, and I haven't had a bad meal yet. The experience at any Bandera is consistent- from the dim lighting to the great, professional service and the corn bread that will knock your socks off, Bandera is an old standby for me.
Their burger is great (order med-rare to truly appreciate it!), the tuna poke (when in season) is my appetizer of choice, and I have a hard time being swayed away from the gorgeous seasonal veggie platter as my dinner entree (just be prepared to ingest Paula Deen-level amounts of buttah and salt).
Yay Bandera! I love you.

1/4/2015

First time visiting this restaurant and upon entering you automatically notice the great ambiance of this place with live jazz musicians playing and if you love jazz like me, then it's perfect. Kind of a long wait to get a table, but that's expected on a Friday night.

I had the Rotisserie Lamb Sandwich with fries. It was amazing, so delicious and worth it. It was just so perfect, I cannot wait to go back here and have it again.

I normally never eat cornbread, ever, but upon my friends insistence I tried some. It was so tasteful and delicious. Try it for sure.  

The service was great and quick and overall a very nice place for dinner, definitely recommend!.

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  Rotisserie Lamb Sandwich

  Rotisserie Lamb Sandwich

11/14/2014

Cool ambiance, live jazz music while you eat and dim lighting make Bandera a great place to have dinner. I enjoyed the meat loaf, brussel sprouts and mash potatoes. The meat loaf was hearty and the mash was incredible. My mother in law has the best brussel sprouts so it's hard to compare however they were fresh and had a good snappy texture.

We only had a few days in Chicago and I am glad we chose to come here. It was a unique experience that I highly recommend.

3/30/2015

had a group of 8, they spit us up into two tables.  somehow we ended up the new guy?  Derrick (sp?) seemed confident but kept forgetting everything.  water, martini, our corn bread, side dish or Brussels .  never came back to fill my water.  I felt sorry for him because it was now ridiculous.  never apologized. we asked for our corn bread half way through our meal. then we told him not to charge us for the side dish because we never got that either.  if it was based on the service, this would be a one star review. however, the food was amazing, prime rib for most of us. and the free corkage saved us from being angry.  we were fine, had a great time and yes I would go back. Thank goodness Derrick didnt have our other table, that could have been ugly....

4/11/2015

Reservations a must.  Live jazz was very pleasant.  Had the veggie burger - tasty but texture fell apart.  Sauteed spinach as side was good, good for two people to share.  Husband had meatloaf with mashed potato and brussel sprouts.  Overall a good experience.

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  Winter Menu, 04/11/2015

  Winter Menu, 04/11/2015

7/2/2015

Great food. The french fries appetizer was a winner, as was the Macho Salad, which was so big that I couldn't finish it. It's a classy place - on the menu, diners are advised to keep the cell phones off at the dinner table. The lighting is dim, which adds a nice ambiance. With the live jazz (who take requests), one can spend a lot of time in this gem of a place. Get casual and eat at the bar, or request a table with a view of Michigan Avenue. A bit pricey, but the atmosphere and food is quality.

6/27/2015

Ah, Bandera. Such promise...but you make the dining experience annoying and sometimes painful without apology. It's like you want US to thank YOU for the dining experience even when the customer service fails so remarkably with a giant thud.

The food is fine here and maybe better than most casual, non-chain places on Michigan. Is it great? No and never has been. I'll still take consistently good even if they are heavy handed on butter/oil/glaze--everything is shiny. They definitely embrace new food concepts like chipotle seasoning and kale and sweet potatoes but those trends seem so outdated now. Perhaps they only feel they need to compete with Cheesecake Factory and Grand Lux and that's a low bar. By the way--no breadbasket here but please buy the massive calorie laden jalapeño cornbread at $8.

As for service, they consistently strike a low point. My strong suspicion is that they follow a decentralized service model with pooled tips: a random array of servers take the drink order, deliver drinks, take food order, drop off food, clear plates, etc.  Here is the problem:  no one is actually making sure your order is correct, your food is good and that you get drinks refilled. It was comedic today to count the number of servers who walked past us and noted our empty glasses and plates and offered nothing. Our supposedly designated server seemed upset that we wanted a drink refill when the meal was clearly finished. Maybe I would have ordered dessert if anyone asked...but no. Really no one gave a crap whether we were there or not.

12/22/2014

Walking in to Bandera, there's a definite relaxing atmosphere. The hostesses were welcoming and attentive. My guest and I had the option to sit at the bar or to wait 20 minutes for a table. We were both quite hungry so we sat at the bar.

I greatly appreciated the upper class atmosphere, they played a great range of lounge appropriate jazz. To my knowledge only two live jazz musicians played about 30 minutes after the time I came in (at around 5:45-6). They chose a few classic pieces (for the live music and the stereo soundtrack) that I greatly appreciated.

Our server at the bar was fast and amicable. And the food was excellent. I got the small Caesar salad and the apricot rotisserie chicken and my companion for the veggie burger.

The chicken was moist and tender. It fell off the bone. The accompanying quinoa(I don't remember what it was exactly) salad was tart and complementary. A great combination.

My partner said the veggie burger was "the best veggie burger I ever had". I didn't have time to take a picture of it, he demolished it so quickly.

For dessert we ordered the cheesecake. I found the crust to be a little crisper than I'm used to, but it's a thick and substantial filling. Very creamy and not too sweet. I enjoyed it and it paired well with my glass of sauvignon blanc.

The wine was excellent and moderately priced. I'd definitely come here again.

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  Harvest cheesecake.

  Harvest cheesecake.
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  The Caesar salad.

  The Caesar salad.
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  It was so good, I didn't get a chance to take a picture before I started diving in.

  It was so good, I didn't get a chance to take a picture before I started diving in.

9/23/2014

I've heard very good things about this restaurant and maybe I just didn't get the right thing.

We went at lunch and this place is dark. I mean DARK. Almost uncomfortably so for a business lunch.

We shared the Iron Skillet Cornbread and it was dry and should have come with butter or something to maybe help, but didn't.

I also had the Macho Salad which was recommended by the server. Just wasn't a fan and ended up mostly just eating the avocado out of it. Something about the chicken.

Overall I was very disappointed. I would say that my experience will keep me from going back given all the amazing restaurants Chicago has to offer.

6/29/2015

Service was great but the wait was long on a Friday night. I had the cornbread as an app and the kale salad was awesome. It came  as a really big portion size and you can fill up on it as an entree.

6/28/2015

I'll start by saying that I did enjoy the Ahi Tuna salad although they could have used a little less salad dressing. The cornbread was good overall but a little on the dry side - with a small amount of uncooked mix left in. The service was mixed with one bartender being average and inattentive and the other being better. The music, which later included live music, was great. I would visit again but definitely sit a table or booth next time.

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  Photo facing Michigan Ave.

  Photo facing Michigan Ave.

3/23/2014

On a whim, we decided to eat a late lunch here with the intention of having a light lunch in preparation for our heavier dinner. But yeah..we failed. We couldn't resist the amazing sounding dishes here.

What we had:
- roasted artichoke: the special of the day. And it was delicious. Perfectly roasted with some salt and the dip was a perfect compliment.
- french dip sandwich: devoured by my friend. DEVOURED. With him going "omg, I wish I didn't eat it all because now I feel so full but it was just too good"
- pan seared ahi tuna: the tuna was perfectly pan seared with a great drizzled sauce. I really loved the mango avocado salad that it came with! A good amount of mango and avocado and the dressing was yummy.

The ambience of this place is quite dark and intimate. In a good way! Great for a date . We also ordered some drinks: dark & stormy and a pomegranate martini. Both were quite good. My friend said: I would DEFINITELY come back! And I completely agree.

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  french dip sandwich

  french dip sandwich
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  pan seared ahi tuna and mango, avocado salad

  pan seared ahi tuna and mango, avocado salad
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  roasted artichoke! yum!

  roasted artichoke! yum!
• See all photos from Chloe Y. for Bandera Restaurant

9/6/2014

Love this place! I went for dinner a couple years ago and just went to lunch on a recent work trip. For my dinner visit the jazz band playing made for a romantic ambiance. We had a cozy booth and the bottle of Syrah was fantastic.

For lunch last week, I ordered the butternut squash enchilada with white cheddar. It was a very unique dish and it tasted fabulous. The portion size was appropriate. I highly recommend this place. Great view of Michigan avenue, too!

(This restaurant is on the second floor. Enter by men's warehouse and go up the escalators. The entrance to bandera is on the left.)

6/30/2015

Loved the food and atmosphere at this restaurant! Jazzy music in the background was a perfect touch. The skillet cornbread is a must!

10/8/2014

The place was packed to be sure, but we were able to get a table within about a half hour.  We spent the waiting time at the bar enjoying the jazz music and libations.  I really liked the ambiance!

I guess I'd describe the food as a kind of Southern remix.  We had some awesome appetizers of the dip duo and the skillet cornbread.  The cornbread had some peppers in it so there was a definite kick!

I opted for the ribs, because the waiter said they would fall off the bone... and he wasn't lying.  Who'd have thought after six years in the South, some of the best ribs I've ever had would be from CHICAGO!  It was seriously amazing.

Also, everything my coworkers ordered was top-notch as well.

10/1/2014

Nice spot. Location is very unassuming from the street since they are renovating. Located off N. Michigan Ave.

Service was excellent and attentive from the bar to the server. Great backdrop of traditional live jazz while one dines. Only complaint was it was dark or light was darker than most I seen but for all the positives I can see why it is so highly rated.

Food ordered the Louisiana Pecan Trout. One word with three syllables de-li-cious! Light, flavorful, and well prepared. Many times you this of dishes with Louisiana and dish is overpowering of blacken or some Cajun sauce.  Not this one.

Great hidden gem.

7/4/2015

The whole restaurant experience was amazing!
From the food, the very attentive server, to the music, the whole package  was memorable. Best Kale salad ever. Do try the corn bread too. The portion sizes are big. Enjoyed every minute and bite.

7/31/2014

GET THE FUCKING MEATLOAF.

Seriously the best meatloaf I have ever had. Sorry mom.

4/5 stars because we had a reservation and they didn't sit us until 15 mins after. Good food, good live jazz, friendly wait staff.

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  Meatloaf and not the one who would do anything for love but won't do that.

  Meatloaf and not the one who would do anything for love but won't do that.

8/10/2014

I was exploring downtown Chicago one night and decided to pay a visit to Bandera. Luckily, I was alone, so I immediately got a seat at the bar. For those in groups, if you don't want to wait in line for 30+ mins on a weeknight, either make a reservation or claim seats at the bar which are first come, first served. Their dim lighting makes it difficult to see where you're walking in some areas of the restaurant. The live jazz music sets the relaxing ambience, but don't sit too close to the band because it may get too loud. For vegetarians, definitely order the veggie burger which is delicious and big enough to separate into two meals!

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  Veggie burger. Yum!

  Veggie burger. Yum!

3/21/2015

My friend and I paid a visit to this Bandera recently. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves that night. My friend ordered the chicken sliders, I ordered the slow roasted lamb sandwich and for  our appetizer we ordered the corn bread. The corn bread was absolutely amazing and a must for anyone going to Bandera. Along with our meal we ordered the margaritas , which were pretty good. Everything came out in a timely manner , we didn't wait to long for anything. The menu was very simple and not to overwhelming like some menus. The ambiance was great with the live jazz music, a really nice touch to atmosphere at the restaurant. My friend and I have no complaints and highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. I plan on coming back very soon to try more items on the menu.

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  The chicken sliders.

  The chicken sliders.
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  The classic margarita

  The classic margarita

4/4/2015

Made reservations for bday dinner for 5PM on a Saturday night.

Started off with white wine and the cornbread appetizer - was delish! The waitress noticed our 1st one wasn't cooked thoroughly so she immediately took it back and came back with different one. It was just enough for 4 girls.

Ordered the ahi tuna salad -- it was perfect! Tuna was perfect and the salad with mango and avocado was really tasty. Would order it again.

For dessert, we had the oreo sandwich -- YUM! I normally love oreo ice cream anything and this was no exception! I would recommend it.

I would totally come back and order the same items or try something new.

My friends ordered the kale salad (really good as well) and the dutch chicken and bbq ribs. Everyone enjoyed their dishes. Perfect.

10/13/2014

Bandera is a fantastic place with a lively atmosphere and a very helpful wait staff. Their cornbread is amazing and it's a must-have. Just melts in your mouth!

I ordered their veggie burger with an order of fries. The burger came with a kale salad and peanut dressing. I couldn't decide which was more awesome. The kale salad was probably the best I've had in a long while. The veggie burger was just moist and very well put together.  In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have ordered the fries because I hardly touched them. They were average at best.

The portions are pretty generous and you can get pretty full with the corn bread and an entree.   We didn't have any room for dessert. I heard great things about the dinner salads here. I will be back to try them out.

Excellent restaurant!

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  Veggie Burger - Uber Delicious!

  Veggie Burger - Uber Delicious!
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  Corn bread in a skillet - a must have item.

  Corn bread in a skillet - a must have item.

6/16/2015

Do not, I repeat, do not order the veggie burger. It was nasty! Other than that, this place is awesome. My friend had the beef ribs and they were fabulous. The cornbread is world class! The atmosphere and staff are the best. Just don't get the veggie burger!  : )

7/31/2015

Excellent food and service. We had the spinach and artichoke dip as a starter and it was delicious. We both had the prime rib sandwiches with tabouli as our side -- outstanding.  The service was amazing make sure you visit it!